Join the 2020 Evanston Community Virtual Choir

Evanston Civic Chorus music director Nathan Baxter is leading a virtual choir this spring to bring together current and former members of the chorus and the orchestra, as well as friends, family, and neighbors.  Whether you live in the Evanston area or have moved away, we need you to sing with us!

The first step is to learn the music on your own using the provided PDF and practice tracks on this web page.  The song by Thomas Tallis, "If Ye Love Me" is not very long.

Then just wait for instructions on how to video record yourself and where to upload the recording.  Details will be posted online as they become available. 

by Sara

Spring Concert Postponed because of COVID-19

Family Holiday Concert - December 19, 2019

Families are invited to our free holiday concert scheduled for December 19th at 7:00 pm, Davis Middle School.  Between the Evanston Civic Chorus and the Evanston Civic Orchestra, there will be favorites that everyone can enjoy.

The orchestra will begin the concert with the familiar "Nutcracker" and "Greensleeves," followed by the chorus singing several songs, including "Carol of the Bells" and a fun arrangement of "Here We Come A-Caroling."  A highlight of their set will be a collaborative performance of "Ave Maria" by Franz Biebl,  with auditioned choirs from Evanston and Davis Middle Schools.

 

The orchestra will perform an exciting arrangement of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," narrated by Michelle Kallas, Uinta County Library Children's Librarian.  Both the chorus and the orchestra will combine for several songs throughout the concert, ending with Mack Wilberg's stirring arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High." 

by Sara

ECOC Fundraiser at NU2U Thrift Store - Saturday, October 26, 2019

Don't miss out on a great bargain this Saturday, October 26th, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Evanston's thrift store, NU2U.  Your purchases during that time will be supporting the Evanston Civic Orchestra and Chorus, as NU2U will generously be donating 80% of all thrift store sales to ECOC.

Trying to piece together a Halloween costume?  Looking for materials for fall crafting?  Sad that yard sale season is over?  NU2U is the place to start your fall shopping this Saturday. 

NU2U just recently changed location to a much larger store at 1624 Harrison Dr.  They even have a dedicated room for holiday decorations, clothing, housewares, and more!  Come early for the best selection, and bring your friends!  This fundraiser helps to support ECOC in producing their much-anticipated Christmas and spring concerts for the community.

by Sara

Register now to join the Evanston Civic Chorus - Fall 2019

All current and new members of Evanston Civic Chorus must register as soon as possible so Director Nathan Baxter knows who will be singing.  We're starting Christmas music for a very fun, family-oriented Christmas program.  Register now.

by Sara

February 8, 2019 - A Cappella Night - This Friday!

The Evanston Civic Chorus will host "A Cappella Night" on February 8th, 7:00 p.m. at Evanston Middle School. This free concert will feature the Chorus and small groups from within the organization and the community celebrating 500 years of popular a cappella music, from Renaissance madrigals to modern pop.

With songs from the Beatles and Toto to Felix Mendelssohn, Eric Clapton, Adele, and more, this concert will entertain the whole family.  Refreshments will be served at a reception afterwards.

by Sara

Join the Evanston Civic Chorus - January 3, 2019

All community members high school age and older are welcome to join the Evanston Civic Chorus this winter.

The a cappella concert will be on February 8th.

First rehearsal is on January 3rd at EMS.  Starting on January 10th the rehearsals will be at DMS for several weeks.

More information about membership in the chorus is available on the member information page.

by Sara

December 20th ECOC Fundraiser at Aspen Cinemas

Did you enjoy our recent Handel's Messiah concerts in Kemmerer and Evanston?

Join the ECOC this Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Aspen Cinemas for a Movie Night fundraiser.  The theater will be donating 50% of all concession sales to ECOC, starting at 4:00 p.m. on that day.


by Sara

ECOC to join with Kemmerer Community Choir for Handel's Messiah 2018

The Evanston Civic Chorus is happy to collaborate with the Kemmerer Community Choir and the Evanston Civic Orchestra for this year's performance of Handel's Messiah. Both the Kemmerer performance on December 1st and the Evanston performance on December 3rd are free.  Note that in Kemmerer the start time is 6:00 p.m. and in Evanston it is 7:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.


by Sara

Join the choir this fall - Rehearsals start soon!

The Evanston Civic Chorus welcomes new singers this fall.  Rehearsals will mostly
focus on preparations for the performances of Handel's Messiah on December 1st in Kemmerer and December 3rd in Evanston, but some of the time in early September will be devoted to preparing for a community performance.  On Saturday, September 22nd, the chorus will sing a couple of songs for the women's conference sponsored by the Calvary Chapel Evanston church.

All high school students and adults are welcome to join the chorus; auditions are not required.  Just come to the first rehearsal on September 6th from 6-8 pm at Davis Middle School and sign up.

More information about the Messiah production, the required score, directors, etc. is available on the Evanston Messiah website.

by Sara

May 7th Concert - "Together"

The Chorus is singing some beautiful songs at our spring concert coming up soon, including "Dirait-on" and "Oh, My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose."  The orchestra is playing some great orchestral works that are very familiar, including "The Moldau" by Smetana and a movement from Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony."  The exciting finale of the concert will be a combined orchestra and chorus piece, "Dry Your Tears, Afrika" by John Williams. See you on May 7th, 7:00 p.m. at Davis Middle School. The concert is free, and families are invited.

by Sara 

A Cappella Night! - March 26th

The Beatles, Billy Joel, Josh Groban, and OneRepublic - These are just some of the artists whose music you'll hear at A Cappella Night on Monday, March 26th at 7:00 p.m. at Evanston Middle School.

The Evanston Civic Chorus will be singing a couple of popular hits as an ensemble, with the rest of the program filled out by the Evanston Men's and Women's Choruses and small groups.  This is going to be great family entertainment, with songs for everyone.  Refreshments will be served, and the concert is free.

by Sara

University of Wyoming Collaborations

Evanston Men's Chorus - February 9, 2018

Both Evanston Men's Chorus and Evanston Women's Chorus have had fun collaborations with University of Wyoming choirs this year.

On February 9th, the men opened for the Arts Inc. Concert Series, UW Singing Statesmen concert by singing "We May Not Be Vampires."  The UW choir then joined the Evanston singers, which included some young men from the high school choirs,in singing "Brothers, Sing on!"

Evanston Women's Chorus - March 7, 2018

Evanston Women's Chorus hosted a joint concert on March 7th.  The EMS Jazz Choir began the concert with two songs, "Cantar" and "J'entends le Moulin," followed by the Evanston women singing "Long Time Traveller" and "Happy Together."  The UW Bel Canto Women's Chorus then joined Evanston on stage to sing "Scarborough Fair."  The UW women then finished out the concert with the program they were taking to the ACDA Northwestern Division conference in Portland, Oregon later in the week.(More Photos)

by Sara

Spring Rehearsals Begin February 1st

The Evanston Civic Chorus will resume rehearsals on February 1st, 6-8 pm at Davis Middle School.  They welcome new members!

The Evanston Men's Chorus and The Evanston Women's Chorus will rehearse individually as well as together for the combined Evanston Civic Chorus songs.  They are looking forward to a couple of performances this spring.  First, they will host an a cappella concert on March 26th.  All types of a cappella music will be performed by the Evanston Civic Chorus and small ensembles from within the organization and the community.  On May 7th they will combine with the Evanston Civic Orchestra for a spring concert.

The Evanston Civic Chorus - Fall Concert 2017

by Sara

December 1st - Community Christmas Gala

Mark your calendars for the 6th Biennial Evanston Community Christmas Gala, December 1st at Davis Middle School, starting with a family Christmas party at 6:00.

The Evanston Civic Chorus, Evanston Men's Chorus, and Evanston Women's Chorus will be featured during the 7:00 concert, along with the Evanston Handbell Choir, Evanston Civic Orchestra, church musical groups, and other small ensembles.

A community service slideshow during the concert will show how community members and organizations have been a light in the world during 2017.

The highlight of the concert will be the combined choir and orchestra finale, "Away in a Manger."

Admission is free to this family-friendly event!


by Sara

ECC honored on Communities in Harmony website - October 26, 2017

On October 26, 2017, the Evanston Civic Chorus was highlighted on the website, Communities in Harmony.  Website author Jason Asbury explained his goal for the year.  "During 2017, I will be highlighting community choruses around the country that bring people together to achieve something bigger than any individual can achieve and to create awareness about how choral music is changing the world one community at a time.  I'll be featuring one choir from each of the 50 states."

The Evanston Civic Chorus was chosen from Wyoming! 

by Sara

My Song in the Night - Fall Concert on October 30th

The Evanston Civic Chorus is excited for the upcoming fall concert with the Evanston Civic Orchestra titled, My Song in the Night.

The men's chorus will sing several songs in their debut performance under the direction of ECC co-director Nathan Baxter:

• Brother's Sing On!
• Coney Island Baby/We All Fall medley
• We May Not Be Vampires (But We're Still Men)

The women's chorus, led by ECC co-director Crystal Roskelley-Delgado, has prepared three songs:

• Scarborough Fair
• Long time Traveller  
• Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit

The combined chorus will sing a couple of songs that lean toward Halloween, including "Jabberwocky," a fun musical setting of Lewis Carroll's fantastical poem.

Several of the songs speak of longing, home, and faith.  In these presentations, the chorus is looking forward to Thanksgiving.  These include "Goin' Home," and "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."  The finale song, and title song of the concert, will be combined with the orchestra - "My Song in the Night."

The concert is free, families are welcome, and refreshments will be served!
by Sara

WAC documents how the Arts have improved life in Evanston - Video

The Wyoming Arts Council has been celebrating 50 years of arts in Wyoming by visiting some of the cities in the state to document how the Arts have improved life.  They put together a short video about the Arts in Evanston, and it includes a little about the Evanston Civic Orchestra and Chorus.  Check out the video on YouTube.

by Sara

October 11th - Fall Fundraiser at Aspen Cinemas

We need everyone to help us out next week at our fall fundraiser.  Watch a movie and buy concessions or just buy concessions.  Spread the word!

by Sara

New Singers Welcome for the Fall 2017 Season

We're excited to announce that rehearsals for the fall season will start on Thursday, August 31, 2017, and new singers are welcome to join us.  We'll rehearse that evening and most Thursdays during the fall from 6-8 p.m. in the Davis Middle School choir room.  To join, just show up for the first rehearsal to sign up and give us your contact information.

The fall concert will be on October 30th and the Christmas Gala will be on December 1st.


by Sara